A proactive approach to troubleshooting technology problems even before they occur can minimize the time spent on a customer’s farm during the busiest times of year. Selling and supporting a variety of precision service packages allows John Cooper, precision farming manager with Swiderski Equipment to increase efficiency and profitability when in the field.

Planning for the unexpected comes with the territory for precision specialist. For John Cooper, precision farming manager with Swiderski Equipment, being able to draw on 8 years as a farm equipment mechanic is an asset to overcoming mechanical obstacles encountered during a precision installation.

When troubleshooting technology, one of the keys to getting paid for service time is accurate documentation. For John Cooper, precision farming manager with Swiderski Equipment, he uses a mobile app to clock in and out of time spent on a customer’s farm and to create an invoice for the service visit.

As a precision farming business grows, equipment dealerships may decide to make this area an independent revenue stream. This is the approach Swiderski Equipment and precision farming manager John Cooper took with its precision business, seeing revenue triple to close to $1.5 million during the last 5 years.

Precision specialists tend to be busy year-round, but when it comes to training new employees, planting season is often an excellent test of stamina, problem-solving skills and technological aptitude. As the precision farming manager for Swiderski Equipment, John Cooper understands the seasonal rigors of long-hours, increased responsibility and the need for constant communication with new hires.

As much troubleshooting as precision specialists do in the field, they often need to travel with an arsenal of cables, clamps, switches and fuses. Spending time on the road with specialists, I’ve learned that they need to expect the unexpected and be prepared for it.